Ingenious Inkling

I'm Dreaming of a Plum Christmas

The Plum Crazy! challenge at the Moxie Fab World Blog was to create a project that 'captures the essence of plum in its design.'  With hazel eyes and fair skin, plum has always been a favorite color of mine for make-up and clothing, so I'm thrilled to see its one of the "in" colors for the year.  I love creating plum paper crafts as well.  I decided to embrace some plum snowflakes for my design.

The Hero Arts Stunning Snowflakes backgrounder was stamped in Versamark Dazzle ink on white cardstock and clear embossed.  Next, I used a sponge to add Wisteria and Warm Violet ColorBox Chalk ink to the background.  The final step was sprays of Graphite and Pearl Glimmer Mist for an all over sparkle. 

The Clear Design Holiday Sayings sentiment was created using the same technique.  I think the thin white mat helps bring out the contrast of the white embossing.  I finished with some plum sheer ribbon from Close To My Heart.

This card also works for the Simple Holiday Card challenge at the Hero Arts blog, since it would be easy to stamp four backgrounds on one sheet of cardstock, and sponge and spray it all at once for quick assembly.

Nook & Pantry Birthday

I realized this morning that my birthday card stash is completely depleted, and I needed a birthday card for a sweet young lady.  I decided to see if I could combine the new Nook & Pantry Basic Grey papers I picked up on our trip with this weeks sketch from Card Patterns.  It turned out a bit busier than I had hoped for, but I think it will work just fine.

After I paper pieced the cupcake wrapper and candle on the Hero Arts You Deserve Card stamp, I managed to smudge some red ink I had on my finger onto the background.  I decided to "fix" it by added lots of little polka dot confetti-like smudges to the background with the pointed end of a make-up applicator cotton swab. 

I finished with some sparkle pen on the candle flame and cupcake decorations; Martha Stewart punched party hats; gradient fibers; and some sparkly half-ball decorations for the corner.
 

Vintage Jolly

I always feel a bit rusty after being away from my studio for a week, but at the same time it always feels so good to get my fingers inky again.  I decided to start with the challenge at the Hero Arts blog to make a simple holiday card.  Those holidays will be here before we know it, so it's time to kick up the holiday card production in my corner of the world.

When I visited the used book store a few weeks ago, I find all sorts of treasures on the clearance shelf, including this vintage children's Christmas book whose binding had fallen apart.  I stamped the Hero Arts Holiday Flourish background in Painted Shutter ink on one of the holiday story pages.  

I used a strip of velvet ribbon I picked up on sale at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago.  I didn't attach the tail to add a bit of dimension to the simple design.  The Large Christmas Circle sentiment was stamped in a margin of one of the pages (love wide margins).  Quick, easy, and elegant ... gotta love it.

Also, make sure you check out the Caardvarks Halloween Creations ... and link up to some of your own.

Who has two thumbs ...?

We have a family tradition of taking silly pictures for my sister when we travel (see A Hobo Goes to Arizona, Charlie Poppit & Brenda Walsh returns to the Midwest).  This time as we were thinking about what to do, my sister posted a status update on Facebook, which had a quote adapted from The Office ... Who has two thumbs? ... where Jim says "Who has two thumbs and hates Todd Packer? ... this guy" while pointing the thumbs at himself. 

So two thumbs it was.  Rod started with this cool statue (which had two thumbs pointing up) at the Atlanta airport.

The next two thumbs moment was soaking in the fabulous second floor outdoor jacuzzi at our hotel in Savannah.   What a perfect way to end a full day of travel.

It was funny how once we starting thinking about thumbs up, we started seeing them everywhere ... like this bizarre Vampire outside a restaurant in the Market in Savannah with Tapas in the name that didn't serve Tapas.

The next thumbs up was the pirate turtle at The Crab Shack on Tybee island (although technically, I don't think turtles have thumbs ... then again, I don't think they usually have mustaches either).

The seafood sampler at The Crab Shack got a GREAT BIG two thumbs from me ... one of the best meals of the trip.  My thumbs were actually wrinkled when I finished from digging in to all of that delicious seafood.

While there are no thumbs in this picture, I'm sure the cat would have given his cool cat shack two thumbs, if he had thumbs.

We had another two thumbs moment at the Post Office Museum of Charleston.  Rod was grateful he gets to drive a truck, rather than ride a bicycle, on his route.

The amaretto cake from La Pizzeria got a big two thumbs.

Here's what it looked like before we devoured it.

The the final two thumbs opportunity was when Rod dripped queso dip all over his plate, added a few jalapenos, and tried to call himself an artist.

Hey Sis ... Who has two thumbs and loves you lots? ... we do. 

Card Patterns Super Six and Final Day of Vacation

First, a big Woot Woot ... I was excited to see I made the Card Patterns Super Six this week with my Chocolat Butterflies card.

My dear husband suggested that we spend part of today checking out the local craft stores ... it turns out there is apparently only one locally owned scrapbook store in the area ... A Scrapbook Store in Mt. Pleasant, SC (we also checked out AC Moore and Michaels, but both were very disappointing).  The lady at the store was very friendly and helpful ... and she had a fun selection of items.  I picked up some new Basic Grey papers and a few other goodies to take home.  

 

In the same shopping center, I had fun shopping at Phillip's Shoe Store.  I added a rockin' pair of Sanita clogs (in grey) to my collection.  The manager of the scrapbook store recommended that we stay in the shopping center and try La Pizzeria for lunch ... and she did not steer us wrong.  We had some of the best pizza we had ever tasted (mine was an eggplant parmigiana ... I've got to try eggplant on pizza at home), as well as a scrumptious dessert. 

After that, we took a leisurely drive around several islands enjoying the cool breezes, bright sunshine, beautiful beaches, and amazing homes.  We also visited Fort Moultrie National Park ... it was fun to learn more about the amazing history of the area.  It was a wonderful end to our trip.  Tomorrow we fly back home to reality ... unfortunately, vacation always has to end.
 

Georgia, Sweet Georgia

We finished our day on Monday with a delicious dinner at Jazz'd Tapas Bar.  They had a Tapas for Two special that allowed us to each try a soup or salad (we shared a Chopped Pesto salad and She Crab Stew), four entrees (coconut shrimp, stuffed flounder, Cuban Rubbed Beef Satays, as our favorite the Beef Shoulder tender ... I resisted licking the prosciutto demi-glaze from the plate), and two desserts (flourless chocolate cake, which was more like a block of cold fudge, and Creme Brulee).  The pace was relaxed, the music was eclectic, and the surroundings were funky ... we loved it.

Tuesday morning we headed to Tybee Island.  It was cool, overcast, and very windy, so we almost had the beach to ourselves.  I loved the cool texture of broken sea shells that we found on the beach near the lighthouse.  Next stop was The Crab Shack, where I enjoyed one of the best seafood samplers I've ever experienced ... mussels, craw-fish, crab legs, shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage ... seriously delicious.  We also had fun checking out the alligator pond while we were waiting for lunch to be served.

Next we headed north to Charleston.  The rain started falling, which made for perfect in-the-car napping for me ... I get my best naps on the road.  We arrived at our B&B and then headed out for a walk.  We settled on Magnolias for supper, and were not disappointed.  I had fried green tomatoes with grits and some fabulous butternut squash soup. Rod had one of their small plates with a boneless pork chop, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and steamed asparagus.  Scrumptious.  On our walk back, we also stopped at The Charleston Beer Exchange to get a sampler to take back with us ... very fun store.

The clouds obscured the sunrise this morning, but it was still fabulous to sit outside and watch the boats on the water.  Today we're heading off on foot to explore Charleston.

A Day in Savannah

Yesterday we flew into Charleston, South Carolina, rented a car, and arrived at our ultimate destination, Savannah, Georgia.  We had a relaxing evening walking around the City Market.  I enjoyed Shrimp and Cheese Grits, my favorite southern dish.  We also had some amazing ice cream (2 scoops - one pineapple and one coconut) from the Savannah Candy Company.  Our hotel has a fabulous jacuzzi on an outdoor patio on the second floor, so we ended the day by soaking for a while before falling into a dead sleep.

 

I can't figure out how to edit photos on the MacBook, so I'll just upload this one as it is.  A nice lady on the River Walk offered to take our picture, and it was the only one I got of the two of us today (with our trolley ride stickers on our shirts).  We enjoyed a trolley tour around the historic districts, and then set off on foot to explore the different squares.  

We had lunch at Clary's Cafe ... disappointing food, but fun to see a movie landmark.  We also took some time to tour the The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, which was absolutely amazing.  We enjoyed browsing through lots of art galleries.  Robert Redford is filming a movie in town, so several of the streets were blocked ... however, there were no celebrity sightings for us.  We did, however, find a couple of fun pieces of local art to add to our collection.    

Tomorrow we're off to explore Tybee Island and then head back up the coast to Charleston.

Christmas Scraps

I was inspired by Lucy's cards she's been making with her scraps, so I thought I would see what I could pull together with the scraps left over from my card this morning.  I was really happy with the results, and I have one more holiday card ready to go ... woo hoo.

I stamped the Hero Arts Holly Flourish background in Peeled Paint Distress Ink (love this color and the textured look in how it covers) on the scrap piece of a vintage book page.  I used a red sharpie marker to add some color to the berries.  The sentiment is from one of my favorite sets ... From the Heart Greetings.  I clear embossed the sentiment to help it stand out a bit more on the Kraft background.

I'm heading off on a fall getaway to Charleston & Savannah in the morning and won't be back to my studio until next Saturday.  I'll try to post some travel updates, but the plan is to just to relax and enjoy some southern hospitality ... and down home southern cooking.
 

Lots of Everything Wonderful

This morning I wanted to make a very special birthday card for one of my oldest and dearest friends ... I hate using the word 'oldest', because of course we are far from old ... but she has been my friend for 24 years, so that's a very long time. 

For a good part of those 24 years we've lived on separate continents, but when we do have those rare opportunities to see each other face-to-face, it's like no time at all has passed.  I love friends like that.

I decided to start with Dawn's Raspberry Suite color challenge and see what I could put together.  I used lots of different Hero Arts stamps (list below) and an aged book page for my ivory paper.

I finished with several Martha Stewart punches, some hand-drawn frames, and Tarnished Brass Distress stickles for my butterfly.

Stamps (all Hero Arts):

• Antique Brocade
• Friend Definition
• Designer Woodgrain
• Wavy Leaf Pattern
• Lots of Everything
• Flourish Trio
• Outline Bold Flourish

 

Paint-By-Number Blooms

My card for this week's SCS Inspiration Challenge was inspired by this cool Paint-By-Number Dessert Platefrom Anthropologie.  I loved the contrast between the outlined background and the bright pops of circle color. 

I have been thinking all week about something creative to make for the Paper Tearing Challenge at the Hero Arts blog, so I decided to create blooms from torn strips of paper for the pops of color in my design.

I started by stamping the Hero Arts Outline Flowers background in black and clear embossing.

To make the torn paper flowers I tore strips of paper about 1/2 inch wide; folded them back and forth; attached the ends together; and then attached the folded circle to the card using a thick glue dot.

The final touches were punched circles for the centers and an oval punched sentiment from the Hero Arts Friends set.

Also a I let out a big woot woot when I saw I made the top five at Get Sketchy! with my Artistic Outpost design.

I hope you find Inspiration.